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Gilman City man pleads guilty on dogfighting charges
St. Joseph man awaits February jury trial
by St. Joseph News-Press
Wednesday, October 7, 2009

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Gilman City, Mo., man arrested in July during the largest dogfighting raid in U.S. history pleaded guilty to charges in federal court Tuesday.

Cris E. Bottcher, 48, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith to charges of participating in a conspiracy to promote and participate in dogfights, according to Matt J. Whitworth, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri,

Mr. Bottcher, a registered nurse employed at Harrison County Community Hospital in Bethany, Mo., admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to transport animals across state lines for an animal fighting venture. In addition to the conspiracy, Mr. Bottcher also pleaded guilty to sponsoring or exhibiting an animal in an animal fighting venture.

Mr. Whitworth said Mr. Bottcher conspired with others to sponsor dogfights or transport animals for dogfights, which took place at Mr. Bottcher’s home on Feb. 28, April 25 and May 8, 2009.

Another Missouri man charged in the dogfighting ring, Rick P. Hihath, 55, of St. Joseph, is awaiting a jury trial in February.

Mr. Bottcher is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

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matt October 7, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So when is the other guy(South Holt former teacher) going to plead guilty????
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 been_there_seen_that October 7, 2009 at 4:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can only hope he serves the max time and pays the max fine. I wonder how Hihath is feeling about going to a jury trial now? Is he still teaching?
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 Memorii October 8, 2009 at 3:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What these men did was deplorable. And I hope that they ALL eventually get the maximum sentence and are forced to pay the maximum fine.

Dog fighting makes me sick.
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